Dubbo Economic Development Prospectus

Invest in Dubbo

Time to invest . grow . live . smile

Contents 1. City snapshot 2. Economic trends and indicators 3.

Key sectors 4. New and emerging sectors 5. Business environment 6. City infrastructure 7. City workforce 8. Land and property investment 9.

Planning an exciting future 10. Grow your business, grow your life 11. Regional comparisons 12. City location 13. Contacts

> Location > Access to national/international markets > New and emerging sectors > Thriving business environment > Strong supply chains > Diversity > Robust economy > Population growth > Sound City planning > Key infrastructure investment > Stable and skilled workforce

Disclaimer: This investment guide is intended to be an aid to the public. It presents information about the Dubbo Local Government Area (LGA), sourced from various entities. Dubbo City Council is not responsible for the accuracy of the information presented in this package, and is not liable where information is incorrect or out of date. Information and statistics in the Dubbo City Investment Guide were predominantly obtained from the Dubbo Local Government Area (LGA) Economic and Demographic Profile (2011) – unless stated otherwise. Š Dubbo City Council 2012, PO Box 81, Church St, Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia 2830, Phone: (02) 6801 4000, Email: dcc@dubbo.nsw.gov.au

A Frontier City For over 160 years, Dubbo has remained at the forefront of regional growth, investment and opportunity. This strategically-located frontier city continues to be driven by a diverse, resilient and vibrant economy, boasting a catchment area one third the size of NSW.

Invest in Dubbo. Grow your dream. Live your life. Smile.

TO BRISBANE

TO ADELAIDE

DUBBO NEWCASTLE

SYDNEY

CANBERRA

TO MELBOURNE

Time to invest . grow . live . smile www.investindubbo.com.au | 2

>1 City snapshot A thriving regional service centre, Dubbo has established a rock solid reputation for its diverse and developing economy.

From humble beginnings as a village in 1849, Dubbo has progressively transformed into a vibrant regional City with the facilities and infrastructure to match.

Villages grow into towns and towns grow into cities because the community is visionary, strategic and proactive.

Located in central NSW, Dubbo is ideally located at the intersection of major road, rail and air transport routes. This location has established, and continues to strengthen, the City’s firm position as a transport logistics hub.

The City’s economic strength is largely supported by its role as the premier service centre to the broader Orana Region and north western areas of New South Wales. Dubbo services a vast geographical area – one third of NSW – with a retail catchment population of some 200,000 people, plus visitors. Dubbo’s own population now exceeds 41,000 people.

Home to over 3500 businesses, the City is the chief provider of cultural and recreational facilities and activities for several Local Government Areas. These towns rely on Dubbo for retail, entertainment and recreational products and opportunities.

Dubbo also provides essential services including health, education and access to government departments to service a population of 120,000.

A well connected ‘City of opportunities’ with a large customer base and affordable regional overheads, Dubbo provides a perfect environment for business to establish, develop, thrive and grow.

TO BRISBANE

MOREE WALGETT

BOURKE

WILCANNIA

TO ADELAIDE

COBAR

DUBBO

MUDGEE

NEWCASTLE

PARKES ORANGE

FORBES

BATHURST

SYDNEY

Service population (120,000) Retail catchment population (200,000)

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CANBERRA TO MELBOURNE

41,763 200,000 120,000 Retail catchment population

Resident population (est June 2010)

3425

2.1B

$

Gross Regional Product

LGA area (km2)

21,281

Service population

3516 Businesses

2078 182,280 Hectares Industrial space

Labour force

sqm Occupied retail space

86,360 789,000 14° – 31°

sqm Occupied commercial space

48.1M

$

Residential development value (2010/11)

Annual visitation

33.4M

$

Non-residential development (2010/11)

Average winter / summer temperatures

134

Flights per week Daily XPT rail service and daily coach services

12.57pm Contracts signed. Time to invest Home to over 3500 businesses, the City is the chief provider of cultural and recreational facilities and activities for several Local Government Areas. 9.01am open for business. Time to smile. www.investindubbo.com.au | 4

>2 Economic growth indicators Population growth, strong labour force, investment opportunities and a diverse economy…invest in Dubbo, the sky’s the limit.

15.0%

$1,753

1500

10.0%

1000

5.0%

500

0.0%

0

2005-06

2006-07

Dubbo Dubbo % growth

2007-08

2008-09

-5.0%

Orana Region % growth New South Wales % growth

POPULATION OUTLOOK 2011 - 2036 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000

51,580

Source: KPMG Property & Demographic Advisory: Population Outlook for Dubbo City Council Report, February 2012. (Note: these projections are only an extracted summary of KPMG’s findings and should be viewed in the context of the full KPMG report, which is available from Dubbo City Council. The KPMG report was not prepared for the ‘Invest in Dubbo’ initiative and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision)

$1,624

$2,077

49,830

The estimated resident population of Dubbo at June 2010 was 41,763 persons, representing an annual growth rate of 1.44%. Based on current and historic trends, the City has a moderate population estimate of 51,580 by 2036.

2000

47,850

Population

$1,982

45,790

The Dubbo economy recorded a Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $2.1 billion in 2008/2009 representing a 4.8% increase on the previous year.

20.0%

2500

43,820

Dubbo has averaged 8.5% annual growth over the past three years.

This growth, driven by the expansion in Dubbo’s leading service and industrial sectors, is well above the performance of the Orana Region and New South Wales over the same period.

GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT 2005/2006 to 2008/2009

42,050

Gross Regional Product

‘31

‘36

20,000 10,000 0

‘11

‘16

‘21

‘26

10.15am Loan approved. Time to grow. Population growth, strong labour force, investment opportunities and a diverse economy…invest in Dubbo, the sky’s the limit. 4.27pm building fit out completed. Time to smile.

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Property Investment Dubbo has attracted over $171.6 million in non-residential investment in the past three years to June 2011. The City welcomed a significant boost in 2009/2010 due to the government financial assistance in respect of educational buildings (BER Funding) and medical facilities.

Total residential investment for the past three years was $161.6 million. The City experienced a significant 61% increase in dwelling approvals in 2009/2010 which could be attributed to the government’s First Home Owner’s Grant Scheme.

TOTAL APPROVALS $200M

1000

950 878

788 $155.9M

793 $150M

$139.6M

600

$100.1M

$100M

800

671

$95.8M

637 $81.5M

$77.9M

$50M

0

400

200

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

Value ($Million)

0

Approvals

Non-residential investment/approvals 2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

Number of approvals

162

175

148

Value of approvals

$51.3M

$86.9M

$33.4M

Residential investment/approvals 2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

Number of approvals

509

613

489

Value of approvals

$44.5M

$69M

$48.1M

Employment Growth in the local labour force combined with declining unemployment rates is further evidence of the strong employment opportunities in the region.

An estimated 21,281 people are employed in Dubbo (March 2010).

This represents an annual increase of 1.7%.

Unemployment in the City remains low (4.6%) compared to the Orana Region (6.5%) and NSW (5.9%). After experiencing growth of almost 2,500 over the past five years, Dubbo maintains a strong labour force to support the local economy. www.investindubbo.com.au | 6

>3 Key sectors Dubbo has a robust economy that is not wholly dependent on any one sector for its wealth.

Dubbo’s economic growth over the past three years, despite a record drought, has been driven by the expansion of a number of sectors, including: • Wholesale trade (22.4% per annum) • Healthcare and social assistance (12.9% per annum) • Construction (12.5% per annum) • Transport, postal and warehousing (12.2% per annum) • Public administration and safety sectors (8.9% per annum). (% annual change in GRP 2008/2009)t

GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT 2008/2009 Mining Arts and recreation services Information media and telecommunications Agriculture, forestry and fishing Administrative and support services Rental, hiring and real estate services Accommodation and food services Professional, scientific and technical services Electricity, gas, water and waste services Other services Financial and insurance services

Goods Sector Services Sector Other

Transport, postal and warehousing

Retail trade Education and training Manufacturing Public administration and safety Wholesale trade Health care and social assistance Construction 0

10

20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200

$ million

3.30pm supply chain identified. Time to grow. Dubbo has a robust economy that is not wholly dependent on any one sector for its wealth. . 3.40pm suppliers quote received. Time to smile.

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Construction Dubbo is home to a number of national construction companies. Local construction activity has mainly consisted of nonresidential, infrastructure and commercial upgrades. The strength of the sector in Dubbo has been largely driven by regional investment by business, industry and government. This includes the development of infrastructure and non-residential building and through the presence of successful construction companies that are headquartered in Dubbo and operate Australia-wide.

Government services Numerous government departments and agencies are located in Dubbo (currently seven Federal and 45 State government agencies). These agencies provide support services across a range of areas such as agriculture, business development, health, social assistance, environmental, aged care and recreational services.

Commerce and retail Dubbo is the retail, commercial and service hub for a vast area of NSW. The City’s strong retail centre employs 14% of Dubbo’s workforce, and contributes $114 million to the City’s Gross Value Add (GVA). The commerce sector provides a diverse range of goods and services. Dubbo’s retail centre includes six shopping centres, including Orana Mall Marketplace (with 55 speciality stores and currently undertaking a $22M expansion).

Manufacturing A resilient sector, the manufacturing industry contributed an estimated $121.4 million in industry value add in 2008/2009. Dubbo has a solid existing capability in food and beverage manufacturing, metal product manufacturing and specialised machinery and equipment manufacturing. Food and beverage manufacturing are the leading manufacturing sectors due to the presence of Dubbo’s international meat exporter – Fletcher’s International Exports, a number of wineries, flour milling and pet food manufacturers.

Agriculture

Healthcare Healthcare and social assistance/services employ over 14% of Dubbo’s workforce.

Dubbo is a strategically placed healthcare provider to the broader Orana and North Western regions, providing major public and private hospitals and allied health services.

The sector produces an estimated $187 million in industry value add for the City.

Despite being the centre of a traditional agricultural area (grain, sheep/wool, cattle production), Dubbo has a lower reliance on agriculture than the wider Orana Region.

The City acts as the region’s agricultural industry service centre through the provision of a wide range of agricultural services, livestock markets, processing facilities and supply chain businesses.

Destination Dubbo Dubbo – home of the world-famous Taronga Western Plains Zoo – has a strong and established tourism sector which injects over $200 million into the local economy annually. Tourism injects over $947 million into Central NSW annually.

Over 1000 tourism-based businesses operate in Dubbo, with the Zoo attracting over eight million visitors to the region since its opening. The City’s annual visitation is estimated at 797,000.* * Source: LGA Profile, Tourism Research Australia 2011.

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>4 New and emerging sectors As a major service centre, Dubbo is well positioned to capitalise on the wealth of natural resources in the Orana Region and Central West that form a solid foundation for a number of expanding industries.

Development of the surrounding regions’ mining, resources and energy projects will significantly boost Dubbo’s role in supporting and benefiting from regional mining activity. Potential opportunities will arise for mining supply chain businesses to operate out of Dubbo in the future.

Investment in the emerging mining and resource sector within proximity of Dubbo will provide many opportunities for the mining and resource sector as well as the establishment and expansion of the sector’s supply chain businesses based on Dubbo’s training and logistics capabilities.

Walgett

Bourke

Narrabri

Gunnedah Coonamble Tamworth Coonabarabran

Cobar

Gilgandra

Nyngan

84

DUBBO

Mudgee

Parkes Orange Forbes 81

West Wylong

Cowra 81

Operating Mines (20 in highlighted area) New announced mines relative to January 2011 (21 in highlighted area) Exploration highlight to relative to January 2011 (19 in highlighted area) Catchment area of Dubbo (200,000 people)

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86

Cessnock

Bathurst

Lithgow

Mining hub Dubbo is well positioned as ‘the new mining hub’ with mining and exploration projects, both established and emerging, flourishing across surrounding regions. Coal, copper, rare earths and gold mining are rapidly developing industries in the Orana and Central West regions.

Mining is now worth over $550M annually to the Central West.

As one of the most heavily prospected regions in Australia, new opportunities are constantly being identified. In addition, established mines – such as the Northparkes, Lake Cowal and Cadia Valley gold and copper mines – are undergoing further expansion.

Mining is one of the largest contributors to the Orana Region’s gross regional product value (15%). Current mining activities – which range from silver, lead, zinc, gold and copper in the Nyngan and Cobar areas, coal in the Mudgee area, and opals in the Lightning Ridge area – are experiencing new investment based on the commodities’ boom.

New coal, gold and rare earth mines are at advanced stages of planning in the region. For example, new prospects are being developed for high value ‘rare earth’ minerals and gold near Dubbo. The proposed Cobbora Coal Project – just 30 minutes from Dubbo – will play an important role in meeting the future electricity needs of NSW. This project alone has a 21-year estimated life span and is expected to generate 1700 jobs.

As a response to this rapidly developing sector, Dubbo is introducing appropriate strategies to ensure that mining projects bring more than their own direct employment to the City and the region.

New and emerging sectors – at a glance • Mining and resources • Renewable energies R&D • Consumables warehousing, distribution and logistics • Assembly and manufacturing plants • Eco and cultural tourism • Expanded regional air services to major ports • Conventions, events and conferences • Intermodal transport/freight expansion • Digital network development (NBN roll-out)

Renewable energy Dubbo also has a unique combination of climate and infrastructure assets to support the development of renewable energy sector investment including solar, biofuels, wind and waste management.

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>5 Business environment Dubbo’s economic strength is driven by the broad range of industries that reinforce its role as a regional centre.

5.37pm networking opportunity with local businesses. Time to live. Dubbo has a robust economy that is not wholly dependent on any one sector for its wealth.

11.05am application approved. Time to smile.

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Dubbo is home to a thriving business environment, servicing local, regional, national and international markets. The local market supports and encourages business growth and expansion. In 2008/2009 the Dubbo economy recorded a Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $2.1 billion, a 4.8% increase on the previous year.

There are 3516 businesses located in Dubbo, with the majority from these sectors: • Agriculture, forestry and fishing (18.0%) • Property and business services (16.9%)

A supportive business environment Dubbo has established networks designed to assist new and existing businesses to grow, increase skills and expand business capabilities.

Dubbo’s new Economic Strategy – “10 Steps to Economic Success” – was developed with extensive community and industry input. The strategy includes executing a business attraction, expansion and retention program by: • Promoting the City through an extensive marketing campaign to assist with business expansion and retention

• Construction (16.4%) • Retail trade (13.3%).

• Engaging with local businesses to better understand challenges

Business numbers Business type

Total turnover ($M)

No.

Accommodation and food services

$52.50

172

Administrative and support services

$42.40

108

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

$43.70

674

Arts and recreation services

$24.30

51

Construction

$191.20

585

Education and training

$115.50

39

Electricity, gas, water and waste services

$68.70

9

Financial and insurance services

$94.80

183

Health care and social assistance

$187.50

169

Information media and telecommunications

$35.80

6

Manufacturing

$121.40

130

Mining

$14.20

9

Other services

$71.50

250

Professional, scientific and technical services

$60.30

248

Public administration and safety

$147.80

9

Rental, hiring and real estate services

$45.20

308

Retail trade

$114.10

267

Transport, postal and warehousing

$106.00

272

Wholesale trade

$149.40

90

Industry Value Add excludes ownership of dwellings and taxes and subsidies which are included in Gross Regional Product/Gross State Product. Note: Business counts exclude businesses that have been counted but not classified by an industry structure - in 2009 there were 49 businesses which were not classified. Source: AECgroup (2010), ABS (2011)

• Providing events and seminars for local business to assist communication and promote collaborative opportunities and partnership development • Ensuring that industrial/commercial land planning and regulation are streamlined to facilitate and promote business expansion and investment.

Dubbo City Council offers a free pre-lodgement advice service for proponents of development within the Dubbo Local Government Area. This service allows advice to be given relating to planning, building, engineering and environmental health matters, ensuring applicants are fully aware of the issues that need to be addressed prior to lodgement of a Development Application. This advice service aims to minimise delays to developments by ensuring all applications have the required information, and developers are aware of all issues that need to be addressed in an application. Dubbo City Council’s Planning and Building officers are available to provide this service 1pm-5pm daily or by appointment by phoning (02) 6801 4000. Council also provides express assessment of construction certificates.

There are a range of stakeholders including Council and the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce that advocate on behalf of business to support major infrastructure improvements and other government policies, both internal to Council and external (State and Federal Government).

Refer to contacts and resources on page 26.

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>6 City infrastructure Dubbo has a strong and diverse infrastructure base, including frontline services, transport and community services. This network will be maintained and grown to provide for a projected 55,000 resident population and a market population of 140,000 in the next 10 years.

Utilities

Water and waste water: The City sources its potable water supply from the Macquarie River (contributing around 70%) and a total of seven bores within the South Dubbo Borefield (contributing around 30%). The City maintains a secure water supply, bolstered by a $23 million investment in the John Gilbert Water Treatment Plant in 2006 to increase capacity from 50 megalitres/day to 80 megalitres/day. This will enable the servicing of Dubbo beyond the next 20 years.

The City is undertaking a $20 million plus, upgrading of sewage treatment capacity at the Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant and associated effluent irrigation capacity to cater for growth of the City for a population of 55,000 people and environmental sustainability beyond the immediate future.

Telecommunications: Dubbo has ADSL internet coverage in the City area. Rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) will commence in the City by June 2013.

13 | www.investindubbo.com.au

Electricity: Essential Energy is the main electricity supplier to Dubbo and the Orana Region, however other energy providers including renewables are continuing to enter this competitive market.

Natural gas: Dubbo is well supplied by natural gas for residents and industry, and acts as the main inception point for the recently constructed pipeline from Dubbo to Tamworth which supplies over 7000 homes and businesses. Coal Seam gas developments in the Pilliga (immediately north of Dubbo) have the potential to provide additional investment opportunities for businesses in the City.

Vital transport linkages Dubbo’s location has established and continues to strengthen the City’s firm position as a transport logistics hub. Located on the intersection of three major highways, Dubbo is also serviced by rail networks, providing transport to passengers and bulky goods, as well as air freight passenger services.

Dubbo’s central location – with its vital transport linkages to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle and Adelaide – is a major advantage for investors.

Road: Dubbo is centrally located on the Newell Highway which is emerging as an important freight corridor in NSW. The Mitchell-Barrier Highway provides an east-west link across NSW and the Golden Highway provides a direct link to Newcastle.

Rail: Lines extend into western NSW through Dubbo, as well as Sydney and Newcastle. The proposed western inland rail link from Melbourne to Brisbane will open up regional Australia, including Dubbo, to the rest of the world.

The Airport is owned and operated by Dubbo City Council, which has invested significantly in the facility by providing a modern terminal and enabling infrastructure that supports future airline activity. The Airport has experienced significant growth in the past 10 years.

To cater for increasing demand for air services across the region, the Airport has experienced significant investment since 2006. This has included the re-development of the terminal building to increase handling capability to 250,000 passengers each year. The Airport is also home to an Air Services Australia Workshop and a Royal Flying Doctors Service facility.

Sea ports: Dubbo has access to three deep sea ports and capitalises on the eastern termination centre for road trains and B-doubles. An inland container terminal is also available in Dubbo.

This transport network fosters opportunity for service industries and competitive advantages for businesses with interstate links.

Refer to page 25 for transport links.

Air: Dubbo City Regional Airport has been the focus of major development over the past decade.

The Airport manages 13 return flights daily to and from Sydney and Broken Hill, with annual passenger numbers exceeding 170,000 people.

10.45am transport connections finalised. Time to grow. Dubbo’s location has established and continues to strengthen the City’s firm position as a transport logistics hub. 3.25pm partners established. Time to smile. www.investindubbo.com.au | 14

>6 City infrastructure (continued)

Community and cultural infrastructure There are a high number of significant community assets that support the quality of life in Dubbo.

Dubbo has three major hospitals including Dubbo Base Hospital and Health Service, Dubbo Private Hospital and Lourdes Hospital. There are also a number of quality aged care facilities and five major nursing homes. Redevelopment of the Dubbo Base Hospital is expected to occur over the next four years. Over $22 million in funding has been committed for the current stage by the State Government.

Education services include 18 public and private schools, 17 pre-school/childcare facilities, a Charles Sturt University campus, the Rural School of Clinical Health (University of Sydney Campus) and the New South Wales Western Institute of TAFE. The City is home to School of the Air (distance education) and University of the Third Age.

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The City’s sporting and recreational amenities include numerous sporting clubs and fields, an Aquatic Leisure Centre, BMX track and a Regional Action Sports Precinct featuring a world–class skate park facility. Cultural and tourism attractions include Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and the Old Dubbo Gaol.

Dubbo’s retail scene features six community shopping precincts, including the sub regional shopping precinct of Orana Mall Marketplace (with 55 speciality stores and expanding) and regional CBD which includes specialty shops and shopping malls. Dubbo is also home to 103 eateries including 20 licensed hotels and clubs, 39 restaurants and 17 cafes.

The City has over 71 hectares of city parkland including the Shoyoen Japanese Garden and Biodiversity Garden. Residents and visitors alike enjoy 8.3 kms of cycle paths and riverside walks.

>7 City workforce Dubbo’s workforce represents a strong cross-section of occupations. The estimated number of employed persons in Dubbo was 21,281 in the March Quarter 2010. This represents an annual increase of 1.7%.

In 2007, Dubbo’s average individual weekly income was $753 across all industries.

Dubbo has a relatively young working-aged population compared to the State and also has significant education and training infrastructure based locally to support the skilling and development of its growing workforce.

Dubbo’s unemployment rate remains well below those recorded for the Orana Region and the State, highlighting the relative strength of Dubbo’s economy.

The City has around 3500 businesses. The largest industry employer in Dubbo is the retail sector, followed by healthcare and the social assistance sector, education and training, and manufacturing.

Dubbo has a high self-containment rate of its workforce with 88.3% of resident workers living in the Dubbo LGA. On balance, there is very little net movement of workers in or out of Dubbo.

Dubbo has a growing tertiary qualified workforce.

In 2006, 35.2% of Dubbo residents aged 15 years or over had some form of qualification, with one in 10 people holding a Bachelor Degree or higher.

Dubbo’s skilled, qualified workforce is supported by an expanding high quality education network. With three tertiary education institutions, the City is well equipped to service the higher education and training needs of the local market.

These institutions also provide ready access to qualified and skilled labour. There are several training, apprenticeship and pathways programs available through private and public organisations.

EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION Labourers (12.1%) Machinery operators & drivers (6.2%)

Sales workers (12.1%) Clerical & administrative workers (15.4%)

Managers (12.8%)

Professionals (17.7%)

Technicians & trades workers (13.9%) Community & personal service workers (9.6%)

www.investindubbo.com.au | 16

>8 Land and property investment The City offers a range of residential, industrial and commercial property opportunities.

Residential Dubbo has strong population growth profile and long-term land use strategies in place to accommodate population growth. House prices in Dubbo (10 years to March 2012) have experienced 6.9% average growth. The City was ranked third in Australia for median growth reflecting Dubbo’s strength as a regional city. (Residex 2009) The City also has a very strong rental market with a current vacancy rate of 1.5% (November 2011).

The current median sale price for a home in Dubbo is $250,000 while median unit prices are $220,000. (REI March 2012). The City generally records a lower median house, and median unit/townhouse, prices compared to other similar regional cities such as Bathurst, Orange, Tamworth and Armidale.

Dubbo’s housing affordability and general ‘liveability’ is also a competitive advantage for attracting both families and businesses.

Expansion of growth sectors such as mining is expected to result in solid returns for property investment across the City.

10.45am perfect land identified. Time to smile. The City was ranked third in Australia for median growth reflecting Dubbo’s strength as a regional city.

3.45pm contracts of sale finalised. Time to invest.

17 | www.investindubbo.com.au

Industrial Industrial zonings are generally located on the fringe of the City and strategically located in terms of transport infrastructure. Zonings offer features including good road and/or rail access, flat land for ease of construction, reticulated water and sewage services, stormwater and electrical reticulation, kerb and guttering, and bitumen roads.

These properties can offer significant exposure and sight lines from a network of main roads and highways. Industrial zonings cater for everything from depots, freight transport facilities and storage establishments to warehouse or distribution centres; light or heavy industries.

The City has a number of industrial areas including: Dubbo Industrial Park on the western edge of the City; Blueridge Business Park on the City’s eastern fringe; Moffat Estate in the north and Pilons’ subdivision at the City’s western industrial gateway near Dubbo City Regional Airport.

In addition, there are four new industrial zones in the Dubbo LGA that have been zoned (or developed) for development in and around Dubbo. These include: • The Mitchell/Eulomogo Industrial Area located on the Mitchell Highway southeast of Dubbo;

• The Mendoran/Talbragar Industrial Area located to the north of Dubbo City on the Newell Highway; • The Yarrandale/Boothenba Industrial Area located to the north of Dubbo adjacent to existing industrial lands on Boothenba Road.

Commercial Dubbo has a range of commercial property offerings for lease or sale including industrial, office and retail. Dubbo is home to three major retail centres, and is supported by numerous neighbourhood retail precincts. There is are also areas for bulky goods retailers on the Mitchell, Golden and Newell highways.

There is approximately 182,280sqm of occupied retail floor space in the Dubbo LGA, and an estimated 86,360sqm of occupied commercial floorspace and 18,175sqm of vacant floor space available.

Dubbo CBD represents the largest precinct in the LGA with a total 73,900sqm. The Orana Mall Marketplace is currently undergoing a $22 million redevelopment which will add an additional 3600sqm of retail space to the City.

• The Mitchell/Rosedale Industrial Area located to the northwest of Dubbo on either side of the Mitchell Highway;

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>9 Planning an exciting future

Dubbo continues to focus on developing and implementing long-term strategies that support and nurture future growth.

Dubbo 2036 The creation of a 25-year vision for Dubbo – by the Dubbo community – integrates social, environmental, economic, infrastructure, and civic leadership priorities into one overarching community strategic plan.

From July 2012, Dubbo 2036 will be the City’s highest level plan. It will be at the heart of Dubbo City Council’s operations; any future plans and subsequent decisions made by Council will be aligned to Dubbo 2036.

Not only does this long-term community strategic plan identify the community’s main priorities and aspirations for the future, it also includes strategies for achieving these goals. Whilst Dubbo City Council has a custodial role in overseeing the implementation of Dubbo 2036 on behalf of the local community, other partners such as State and Federal government, community, business and industry organisations will also be engaged in delivering the Plan’s long-term objectives.

4.45pm update meeting with investment partners. Time to live. Dubbo continues to focus on developing and implementing long-term strategies that support and nurture future growth. 9.25am development application lodged. Time to invest.

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A City on the go Dubbo City Council has invested close to $140 million in community infrastructure over the past decade as it continues to improve City lifestyle. In addition, Dubbo City Council has approved close to $1 billion in development during the past 10 years.

Examples of recent, current and planned major City developments include:

Recent developments

• $8.7M – Dubbo City Regional Airport: redevelopment of the terminal, runways, lighting and security car parking.

• $18.5M – Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre: a facility that combines a 500-seat tiered theatre and 700-seat convention centre.

• $9.85M – seniors housing development.

• $5M – bulky goods complex development.

• $5.5M – Taronga Western Plains Zoo: redevelopment of the Zoo’s entire front entry precinct and new children’s playground.

• $13M – development of West Dubbo ‘Delroy’ shopping complex.

• $24.3M – water infrastructure projects including doubling capacity of City’s water treatment plant.

• $8.2M – Western Plains Cultural Centre – a facility that welcomes 60,000 visitors per year and houses over 500 artefacts and 400 art works.

• $36.1M – sewerage infrastructure upgrades.

• $4.6M – creation of Dubbo’s eastern and western industrial gateways.

• $4M – flood protection in the CBD. • $1.16M – regional recreation precinct including world-class skate park, Action Sports Park and fitness centre.

Current / planned developments

• National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout, to commence by June 2013 • $22M – Orana Mall Marketplace redevelopment/ expansion.

• Council’s Keswick Estate residential land development (1200 residential allotments) • Dubbo Zirconia Mine Project • Cobbora Coal Project • $11.5M – Stormwater harvesting at East Dubbo Sport Complex, including installation of international football standard quality sand based playing surface • $22M – committed for Dubbo Base Hospital re-development • $9.8M – Upgrade of the Western Institute of TAFE – Dubbo Campus • New residential release areas – approx. 7000 allotments.

Priority developments

Infrastructure projects identified by the community as priorities requiring State and Federal government investment to support Dubbo’s growth as a major regional centre include: • Acceleration of urban drainage improvements ($10.5M);

• $3.5M – 1340-seat grandstand and new facilities at East Dubbo Sporting Complex.

• Dubbo City Regional Airport runway extensions ($10.85M); Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre ($12.1M);

• $11.5M – Lourdes Hospital redevelopment including a solar-heated hydrotherapy pool and gym.

• Park Street Development ($1.5M); • Multi-level public car park ($8.0M); • Re-development of Dubbo Base Hospital ($79.8M); • Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets upgrade($13M); • A third bridge over the Macquarie River ($20M). www.investindubbo.com.au | 20

Examples of recent, current and planned major City developments include:

8.7M

$

Dubbo City Regional Airport

$

5M

$

Regional Theatre & 18.5M Dubbo Convention Centre

Bulky goods complex

$

9.8M

8.2M

Western plains cultural centre

Westerns Institute of TAFE

$

Gilbert Water 24.3M John Treatment Plant

$

Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mudgee (150kms)

New residential release areas 21 | www.investindubbo.com.au

Orana Mall EXPANSION

22M

$

11.5M

$

– in development

sTORM water HARVESTING AT East Dubbo sports complex

Wilpinjong Coal Mine Mudgee (150kms)

22M

$

Dubbo Base Hospital – planned

9.85M

$

13M

$

Delroy park shopping complex

1.9M

$

Cobbora Coal Project 60kms

Seniors housing complex – in development

Major Projects and proposals in the Orana Region and neighbouring LGA’s

Elizabeth Park Regional botanic garden – in development

8M

$

Taronga western plains zoo www.investindubbo.com.au | 22

>10 Grow your business, grow your life Spend your day doing business with the world – and still be home in seven minutes.

The City of Dubbo is not just an exciting investment destination It’s a popular place to live, work and play for the 41,763 people who call Dubbo home.

Fantastic weather, well connected transport, a clean environment, affordable housing and most importantly, time to do the things that make you happy. What more could you ask for?

23 | www.investindubbo.com.au

Extensive medical, health, welfare, educational, recreation, cultural and shopping facilities are available in Dubbo. The City also accommodates tertiary education institutions, namely Charles Sturt University and the Western Institute of TAFE – Dubbo Campus. It is the headquarters of the Western NSW Local Health District which stretches from Lithgow in the east to Broken Hill in the west, and The University of Sydney School of Rural Health.

Whilst Dubbo is known for being a city of economic opportunity, it prides itself on being a warm and friendly community – a city of smiles. Affordable housing and access to City services, Dubbo offers potential investors business and lifestyle opportunities.

The City boasts the ‘seven-minute commute’, where most City residents can access the central business district in under seven minutes!

For more information about living in Dubbo, visit www.dubbo.com.au

>11 Regional Comparison Dubbo

Bathurst Regional

Orange

Tamworth Regional

Wagga Wagga

Albury

Armidale

41,211

39,339

38,685

58,515

62,904

50,522

25,696

0.8%

1.2%

0.6%

1.0%

1.3%

1.3%

0.4%

21,281

20,383

19,421

29,636

32,608

25,696

12,681

1.7%

1.7%

1.7%

1.6%

1.1%

1.0%

1.8%

20,311

19,342

18,505

27,790

31,247

24,096

11,951

Annual Growth (%)

1.0%

0.8%

1.2%

0.3%

1.3%

0.7%

1.1%

Unemployment Rate (%) (Mar Q 10)

4.6%

5.1%

4.7%

6.2%

4.2%

6.2%

5.8%

Description Population Population 2009 % Average Annual Growth 2001–09 Employment Labour Force (No.) (Mar Q 10) Annual Growth (%) Employed Persons (Mar Q 10)

Change (%)

0.7%

0.8%

0.5%

1.2%

--0.2%

0.4%

0.6%

Average Wage (2006)

$753

$773

$807

$720

$746

$764

$745

$2,076.7

$1,886.8

$2,187.2

$2,576

$3,383

$3,077

$1,118

4.8%

2.1%

--4.7%

3.1%

2.0%

n.a.

2.0%

Gross Industry Value Add (2008-09) ($’M)

$1,686.3

$1,541.5

$1,817.4

$2,085

$2,798

$2,513

$892

Average Turnover ($)/employee

$101,934

$102,827

$113,174

$97,142

$100,084

$102,161

$90,041

3,516

3,240

3,294

5,346

4,833

4,338

2,256

Business Activity Gross Regional Product (2008-09) ($’M) Annual Growth (%)

No. Businesses (2007) Building & Construction No. Dwelling Approvals

268

201

434

537

420

350

208

Annual Growth (%)

25.8%

27.2%

100.0%

81.4%

22.8%

--5.4%

150.6%

Value of dwelling Approvals ($'M)

$69.1

$54.5

$106.1

$123.9

$117.4

$94.3

$53.5

Annual Growth (%)

38.2%

45.8%

95.4%

71.8%

24.0%

65.6%

110.5%

Value of non-dwelling approvals ($'M)

$82.4

$38.9

$47.1

$90.7

$188.4

$81.3

$40.6

Annual Growth (%)

256.0%

142.6%

0.2%

103.1%

102.9%

44.1%

318.2%

$242,000

$270,000

$285,000

$275,000

$287,000

$335,000

$280,000

% 1 Year Growth

2.8%

14.9%

3.4%

19.6%

--0.2%

--3.6%

8.8%

% 5 Year Growth

3.3%

2.0%

2.4%

3.4%

3.6%

1.2%

7.8%

$175,000

$183,000

$220,000

$160,000

$230,000

$208,000

$208,000

% 1 Year Growth

-20.5%

--14.5%

11.7%

7.4%

5.7%

1.7%

15.6%

% 5 Year Growth

5.8%

--1.1%

3.2%

2.0%

6.0%

2.2%

9.9%

Median Property Prices Median Sales Price – House ($)

Median Sales Price – Townhouse/ Unit ($)

Source: ABS (2007a), ABS (2007b), ABS (2010a), ABS (2010b), Australian Property Investor (2010), DEEWR (2010), NSW Department of Housing (2010), NSW Planning (2010), AECgroup.

www.investindubbo.com.au | 24

>12 City location TO BRISBANE 855kms

MOREE NATIONAL

71 WILCANNIA

TO ADELAIDE 1268kms

39

WALGETT

BOURKE

COONAMBLE COONABARABRAN 39 GILGANDRA NATIONAL

32

COBAR

NYNGAN

BROKEN HILL

NEW SOUTH WALES

84

DUBBO

MUDGEE

NATIONAL

39

86

PARKES

ORANGE

FORBES 81

WEST WYLONG

BATHURST COWRA

NEWCASTLE

NATIONAL

LITHGOW

NATIONAL

31

81

383kms

1

SYDNEY 405kms

YASS NATIONAL

39

NATIONAL

25

GOULBURN

CANBERRA NATIONAL

31

TO MELBOURNE 852kms

to Sydney ..................... 414km ..................... 5 hours to Brisbane ............... 895km ................ 10 hours to Canberra ............. 415km .............. 4.5 hours to Melbourne ....... 856km ................ 10 hours to Adelaide .............. 1212km ........... 13 hours to Newcastle .......... 400km .............. 4.5 hours

DARWIN

NORTHERN TERRITORY QUEENSLAND

WESTERN AUSTRALIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA

BRISBANE NEW SOUTH WALES

PERTH

DUBBO

CANBERRA ADELAIDE

VICTORIA

MELBOURNE TASMANIA

25 | www.investindubbo.com.au

SYDNEY

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

HOBART

>13 Contacts Dubbo City Council Economic development strategy and research

w www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au p (02) 6801 4000 e dcc@dubbo.nsw.gov.au Planning and development

w www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au p (02) 6801 4000 e planning@dubbo.nsw.gov.au City information and referrals

w www.investindubbo.com.au p (02) 6801 4450 e dcc@dubbo.nsw.gov.au New resident enquires

w www.liveindubbo.com.au p (02) 6801 4450 e relocate@dubbo.nsw.gov.au City promotions and events

w www.dubbo.com.au p (02) 6801 4450 e citypromotions@dubbo.nsw.gov.au

Dubbo Chamber of Commerce

p (02) 6884 4883 w www.dubbochamber.com.au e executiveofficer@dubbochamber.com.au

Regional Development Australia Orana p (02) 6885 1488 w www.rdaorana.org.au e admin@rdaorana.org.au

Department of State & Regional Development (NSW Government) p 1300 134 359 w www.business.nsw.gov.au e businessweb@business.nsw.gov.au

Screen central

p (02) 6331 9246 e kate.barker@centroc.com.au

Resources

www.investindubbo.com.au presents detailed investment information focused on the Dubbo Local Government Area and provides links to other information resources useful for new business and investors. These include the Economic Development Profile and Strategy, statistics and fact sheets, building and planning approvals and key contact information for Dubbo City Council.

Dubbo’s online Business Resource Centre Available at www.dubbo.com.au/resourcecentre.html this online Resource Centre provides links to information and networking opportunities for businesses in the Dubbo Local Government Area. It also provides information on Council’s City Promotion Program and how local businesses can participate and benefit from cooperative marketing initiatives. The site includes the Dubbo Community Profile and online population data, the Dubbo Economic and Demographic Profile and the Dubbo Economic Development Strategy.

Dubbo City Council – Marketing and Communications Branch The Branch works closely with industry and stakeholder groups to deliver cooperative promotional campaigns.

These campaigns support growth across many sectors of the local economy including destination marketing for leisure and business tourism, as well as investment, event and skill attraction. The Branch also operates the accredited Dubbo Visitors Information Centre. Contact citypromotions@dubbo.nsw.gov.au NSW Trade and Investment www.business.nsw.gov.au/invest-in-nsw/regional-nsw provides contacts, statistics and information for those looking to grow a business or investment in regional NSW. The site provides links to regional offices and assistance programs.

Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism www.ret.gov.au provides up-to-date regional tourism research, profiles, visitor survey results and tourism supply and demand data for all of Australia’s tourism regions, states and territories.

www.investindubbo.com.au | 26

> Location > Access to national/international markets > New and emerging sectors > Thriving business environment > Strong supply chains > Diversity > Robust economy > Population growth > Sound City planning > Key infrastructure investment > Stable and skilled workforce

Time to smile investindubbo.com.au